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| '''Urban exploration''' |
'''Urban exploration''', or ''UE'', is the examination of the unseen or off-limits parts of human civilization. | ||
| UE can further be separated into subcategories. Urban explorers do any or all of these things, but often specialize on one or two. | |||
| At ] the exploration of steam tunnels is known as ] or ]. The term 'Urban Exploration' first came into wide spread use through ], editor of one of the first Urban Exploration web-sites. Another name for the hobby is ''infiltration'', which is also the name of "the ] about going places you're not supposed to go". Note however that the term "urban exploration" generally refers to the exploration of abandoned, subterranean or otherwise unwelcoming environments, whereas "infiltration" more often is used to describe exploration of active buildings via stealth or disguise. | |||
| === Abandonments === | |||
| Urban explorers usually are trespassing by visiting the places they do, making the activity a criminal offence. Most explorers justify this by following a code of ethics that has been loosely defined and adopted by the community. The wording and language varies amongst different renderings of this code, but it usually frowns heavily upon theft, vandalism, tagging, graffitti, and any other crime except for simple harmless trespassing. A simpler way to generalize this ethical code is the Sierra Club's motto: "take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints." | |||
| Ventures into abandoned structures are perhaps the most common example of UE. Common targets are manufacturing facilities, brickworks, grain elevators, and houses. Abandoned sites are generally entered first by locals, and often sport large amounts of ] and other vandalism. Explorers often focus on the natural and unnatural decay of the structure. | |||
| === Tunnels === | |||
| Tunnels include steam and utility tunnels, mill ] and ], subway and other transit tunnels, and drains. Many schools have a tradition of steam tunnel exploration by students, which is called ] at ]. Entry into storm drains, or ''draining'', is another common form of UE. Groups devoted to the task have arisen, such as the Cave Clan in Australia. Draining has a specialized set of guidelines, the foremost of which is "When it rains, no drains." | |||
| === Active Buildings === | |||
| The exploration of active buildings is commonly known as ''infiltration''. this includes seeing secured or member-only areas, mechanical rooms, roofs, elevator rooms, and other unseen parts. | |||
| == Ethics == | |||
| In many places, UE is a crime. Explorers generally justify their crimes as ], because they enjoy the location without causing harm or depriving the owner of their property. The common but not entirely accurate catchphrase for this ethical standpoint is the Sierra Club's motto: "take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints." The common code of ethics frowns heavily upon theft, vandalism, tagging, graffitti, and any other crime except for simple harmless trespassing. | |||
| Exceptions to the rule exist. Graffitti in drains is often condoned or encouraged, as long as ] and other features aren't damaged. Some explorers remove items from abandoned sites, to preserve them or to have a souvenir. Many locations contain a small area reserved for leaving tags, known as a ''guest book''. | |||
| See also: ], ] | See also: ], ] | ||
Revision as of 03:37, 8 April 2004
Urban exploration, or UE, is the examination of the unseen or off-limits parts of human civilization.
UE can further be separated into subcategories. Urban explorers do any or all of these things, but often specialize on one or two.
Abandonments
Ventures into abandoned structures are perhaps the most common example of UE. Common targets are manufacturing facilities, brickworks, grain elevators, and houses. Abandoned sites are generally entered first by locals, and often sport large amounts of graffiti and other vandalism. Explorers often focus on the natural and unnatural decay of the structure.
Tunnels
Tunnels include steam and utility tunnels, mill headraces and tailraces, subway and other transit tunnels, and drains. Many schools have a tradition of steam tunnel exploration by students, which is called vadding at MIT. Entry into storm drains, or draining, is another common form of UE. Groups devoted to the task have arisen, such as the Cave Clan in Australia. Draining has a specialized set of guidelines, the foremost of which is "When it rains, no drains."
Active Buildings
The exploration of active buildings is commonly known as infiltration. this includes seeing secured or member-only areas, mechanical rooms, roofs, elevator rooms, and other unseen parts.
Ethics
In many places, UE is a crime. Explorers generally justify their crimes as usufruct, because they enjoy the location without causing harm or depriving the owner of their property. The common but not entirely accurate catchphrase for this ethical standpoint is the Sierra Club's motto: "take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints." The common code of ethics frowns heavily upon theft, vandalism, tagging, graffitti, and any other crime except for simple harmless trespassing.
Exceptions to the rule exist. Graffitti in drains is often condoned or encouraged, as long as speleothems and other features aren't damaged. Some explorers remove items from abandoned sites, to preserve them or to have a souvenir. Many locations contain a small area reserved for leaving tags, known as a guest book.
See also: Caving, Catacombs of Paris
External links
Community Resources
- http://www.urbanexplorers.net - Information and the mailing list Underground
- http://www.infiltration.org - The zine Infiltration
- http://www.uer.ca - The Urban Exploration Resource fora
Group & Personal Pages